Gesture Detection

ABSTRACT

A supplemental surface area allows gesture recognition on outer surfaces of mobile devices. Inputs may be made without visual observance of display devices. Gesture control on outer surfaces permits socially acceptable, inconspicuous interactions without overt manipulation.

This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/070,493, filed Nov. 2, 2013, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

COPYRIGHT NOTIFICATION

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its attachmentscontain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyrightowner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of thepatent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patentand Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Touch sensors are common in electronic displays. Many mobile smartphonesand tablet computers, for example, have a touch screen for makinginputs. A user's finger touches a display, and a touch sensor detectsthe input.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments arebetter understood when the following Detailed Description is read withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are simplified schematics illustrating an environment inwhich exemplary embodiments may be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram illustrating the operatingenvironment, according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 4-5 are schematics illustrating a gesture detector, according toexemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 6-7 are circuit schematics illustrating a piezoelectrictransducer, according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 8-11 are more schematics illustrating the gesture detector,according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 12-14 are schematics illustrating a learning mode of operation,according to exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 15 is an exploded component view of an electronic device, accordingto exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustrating contactless, three-dimensionalgestures, according to exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 17-19 are schematics illustrating output sampling, according toexemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are schematics illustrating a protective case,according to exemplary embodiments; and

FIGS. 21-22 are schematics illustrating other operating environments foradditional aspects of the exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodimentsmay, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete and will fully convey the exemplary embodiments to those ofordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein recitingembodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended toencompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof.Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include bothcurrently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in thefuture (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function,regardless of structure).

Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill inthe art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the likerepresent conceptual views or processes illustrating the exemplaryembodiments. The functions of the various elements shown in the figuresmay be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well ashardware capable of executing associated software. Those of ordinaryskill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware,software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described hereinare for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limitedto any particular named manufacturer.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. Itwill be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,”“including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood thatwhen an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” toanother element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the otherelement or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected”or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled.As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first device could be termed asecond device, and, similarly, a second device could be termed a firstdevice without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are simplified schematics illustrating an environment inwhich exemplary embodiments may be implemented. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustratean electronic device 20 that accepts touches, swipes, and other physicalgestures as inputs. The electronic device 20, for simplicity, isillustrated as a mobile smartphone 22, but the electronic device 20 maybe any processor-controlled device (as later paragraphs will explain).Regardless, FIG. 1 illustrates a front side 24 of the electronic device20, with body 26 housing the components within the electronic device 20.A display device 28, for example, displays icons, messages, and othercontent to a user of the electronic device 20. The display device 28interfaces with a processor 30. The processor 30 executes instructionsthat are stored in a memory 32. The electronic device 20 may alsoinclude a touch sensor 34. The touch sensor 34 is conventionallyinstalled on or above a front face of the display device 28. The touchsensor 34 detects the user's physical inputs above the display device28. The display device 28 generates visual output in response toinstructions from the processor 30, and the touch sensor 34 generates anoutput in response to the user's physical inputs, as is known.

FIG. 2 illustrates a backside 40 of the electronic device 20. Here thebody 26 includes a gesture detector 42. The gesture detector 42 detectsphysical gestures that are made on an outer surface 44 of the body 26.The user may make gestures on the outer surface 44 of the body 26, andthe processor 30 interprets those gestures to control the electronicdevice 20. The user's fingers, for example, may contact the body 26 andmake a swiping motion on the outer surface 44. The processor 30interprets the swiping motion to execute some command, such astransitioning to a different display screen, answering a call, capturinga photo, or any other action. The user may also tap the outer surface 44of the body 26 to select icons, web pages, or other options displayed onthe display device (illustrated as reference numeral 28 in FIG. 1).Indeed, the user may associate any gesture to any action, as laterparagraphs will explain.

Exemplary embodiments thus greatly increase input area. Conventionalelectronic devices limit gesture detection to the display device 28(i.e., the touch sensor 34 above the display device 28, as FIG. 1illustrated). Exemplary embodiments, instead, recognize inputs over anyportion of the body 26. The user's fingers may draw shapes across thebody 26 of the electronic device 20, and those shapes may be recognizedand executed. Exemplary embodiments thus permit inputs without having tovisually observe the display device 28. The user may make gesture inputswithout observing the display device 28 and, indeed, without holding theelectronic device 20 in the hand. For example, when the smartphone 22 iscarried in a pocket, the user may still make gesture inputs, withoutremoving the smartphone 22. The gesture detector 42 recognizes simpletaps and swipes, more complex geometric shapes, and even alphanumericcharacters. Because the electronic device 20 need not be held, exemplaryembodiments permit socially acceptable interactions in situationswithout overtly holding and manipulating the display device 28.Exemplary embodiments thus permit inconspicuous interaction in a varietyof environments, using the entire body 26 as an input surface.

FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram illustrating the operatingenvironment, according to exemplary embodiments. FIG. 3 illustrates theelectronic device 20, the processor 30, and the memory 32. The processor30 may be a microprocessor (“μP”), application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), or other component that executes a gesture algorithm 50stored in the memory 32. The gesture algorithm 50 includes instructions,code, and/or programs that cause the processor 30 to interpret anygesture input sensed by the gesture detector 42. When the user drawsand/or taps a gesture on the outer surface of the body (illustrated,respectively, as reference numerals 44 and 26 in FIGS. 1-2), the gesturedetector 42 generates an output signal 52. The processor 30 receives theoutput signal 52 and queries a database 54 of gestures. FIG. 3illustrates the database 54 of gestures as a table 56 that is locallystored in the memory 32 of the electronic device 20. The database 54 ofgestures, however, may be remotely stored and queried from any locationin a communications network. Regardless, the database 54 of gesturesmaps, associates, or relates different output signals 52 to theircorresponding commands 58. The processor 30 compares the output signal52 to the entries stored in the database 54 of gestures. Should a matchbe found, the processor 30 retrieves the corresponding command 58. Theprocessor 30 then executes the command 58 in response to the outputsignal 52, which is generated by the gesture detector 42 in response tothe user's gesture input.

FIG. 4 is another schematic illustrating the gesture detector 42,according to exemplary embodiments. While the gesture detector 42 may beany device, the gesture detector 42 is preferably a piezoelectrictransducer 70. The gesture detector 42 may thus utilize thepiezoelectric effect to respond to vibration 72 sensed in, on, or aroundthe body 26. As the user draws and/or taps the gesture 74 on the outersurface 44 of the body 26, vibration waves travel through or along theouter surface 44 of the body 26. The piezoelectric transducer 70 sensesthe vibration 72. The piezoelectric effect causes piezoelectrictransducer 70 to generate the output signal (illustrated as referencenumeral 52 in FIG. 3), in response to the vibration 72. Exemplaryembodiments then execute the corresponding command (illustrated asreference numeral 58 in FIG. 3), as earlier paragraphs explained.

The gesture detector 42 may even respond to sound waves. As the gesturedetector 42 may utilize the piezoelectric effect, the gesture detector42 may sense the vibration 72 due to both mechanical waves and acousticwaves. As those of ordinary skill in the art understand, the vibration72 may be generated by sound waves propagating along the body 26 and/orincident on the piezoelectric transducer 70. Sound waves may thus alsoexcite the piezoelectric transducer 70. So, whether the user taps,draws, or even speaks, the gesture detector 42 may respond by generatingthe output signal 52. Indeed, the piezoelectric transducer 70 mayrespond to the vibration 72 caused by the user's physical and audibleinputs. The gesture detector 42 may thus generate the output signal 52in response to any mechanical and/or acoustic wave.

FIG. 5 is another schematic illustrating the gesture detector 42,according to exemplary embodiments. Here the gesture detector 42 mayrespond to electrical charges 80 on or in the body 26 of the electronicdevice 20. As the user draws the gesture 74 on surface 44 of the body26, electrical charges 80 may build on or within the body 26. FIG. 5grossly enlarges the electrical charges 80 for clarity of illustration.Regardless, the electrical charges 80 may cause an electric field 82,which may also excite the piezoelectric transducer 70. So, the gesturedetector 42 may also generate the output signal (illustrated asreference numeral 52 in FIG. 3) in response to the electric field 82.The gesture detector 42 may thus also respond to the electric charges 80induced on the body 26.

FIGS. 6-7 are modeling circuit schematics illustrating the piezoelectrictransducer 70, according to exemplary embodiments. Because the gesturedetector 42 may utilize the piezoelectric effect, the gesture detector42 may sense mechanical waves, acoustic waves, and the electrical charge(illustrated as reference numeral 80 in FIG. 5). The piezoelectrictransducer 70 responds by generating the output signal 52. The outputsignal 52 may be voltage or charge, depending on construction of thepiezoelectric transducer 70. FIG. 6, for example, is a circuit schematicillustrating the piezoelectric transducer 70 modeled as a charge sourcewith a shunt capacitor and resistor. FIG. 7 illustrates thepiezoelectric transducer 70 modeled as a voltage source with a seriescapacitor and resistor. The output voltage may vary from microvolts tohundreds of Volts, so some signal conditioning (e.g., analog-to-digitalconversion and amplification) may be needed.

FIGS. 8-11 are more schematics illustrating the gesture detector 42,according to exemplary embodiments. Because the gesture detector 42responds to physical gestures, the gesture detector 42 may be installedat any position or location on or in the body 26. FIG. 8, for example,illustrates the gesture detector 42 mounted to a central region 90 onthe backside 40 of the electronic device 20. As the backside 40 maypresent a large, supplemental gesture surface area 92 for inputtinggestures, the gesture detector 42 may be disposed in or near the centralregion 90 to detect the vibration 72. FIG. 9, though, illustrates thegesture detector 42 disposed in or near an end region 94 on the backside40 of the electronic device 20. The end region 94 may be preferred insome situations, such as when the body 26 includes an access door 96 toa battery compartment. A discontinuous gap 98 around the access door 96may attenuate transmission of waves or conduction of charge, thusreducing or nullifying the output signal 52 produced by the gesturedetector 42. A designer may thus prefer to locate the gesture detector42 in some region of the body 26 that adequately propagates waves orconducts charge.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate frontal orientations. FIG. 10 illustrates thegesture detector 42 disposed on or proximate the front side 24 of theelectronic device 20. Even though the electronic device 20 may have theconventional touch sensor 34 detecting inputs above the display device28, any portion of the front side 24 of the body 26 may also be used forgesture inputs. FIG. 11, likewise, illustrates the gesture detector 42located in a corner region of the body 26. The gesture detector 42 maythus be installed at any location of the body 26 to detect the vibration72 caused by gesture inputs.

FIGS. 12-14 are schematics illustrating a learning mode 100 ofoperation, according to exemplary embodiments. Wherever the gesturedetector 42 is located, here the user trains the electronic device 20 torecognize particular gestures drawn on the body 26. When the user wishesto store a gesture for later recognition, the user may first put theelectronic device 20 into the learning mode 100 of operation. FIG. 12,for example, illustrates a graphical user interface or screen that isdisplayed during the learning mode 100 of operation. The user may beprompted 102 to draw a gesture somewhere on the body 26, such as thesupplemental gesture surface area (illustrated as reference numeral 92in FIG. 8). After the user inputs the desired gesture, the user mayconfirm completion 104 of the gesture.

FIG. 13 again illustrates the backside 40 of the electronic device 20.Here the outer surface 44 of the backside 40 of the electronic device 20is the supplemental gesture surface area 92. The user performs anytwo-dimensional or even three-dimensional movement. As the gesture isdrawn, the vibration 72 propagates through the body 26 as mechanicaland/or acoustical waves. The gesture detector 42 senses the vibration 72and generates the output signal 52. The gesture detector 42 may alsosense and respond to the electrical charges (as explained with referenceto FIGS. 5-7). The gesture algorithm 50 causes the electronic device 20to read and store the output signal 52 in the memory 32. Once thegesture is complete, the user selects the completion icon 104, as FIG.12 illustrates.

FIG. 14 illustrates a menu 110 of the commands 58. The menu 110 isstored and retrieved from the memory (illustrated as reference numeral32 in FIG. 13). The menu 110 is processed for display by the displaydevice 28. Once the user confirms completion of the gesture, the usermay then associate one of the commands 58 to the gesture. The menu 110thus contains a selection of different commands 58 from which the usermay choose. FIG. 14 only illustrates a few popular commands 58, but themenu 110 may be a much fuller listing. The user touches or selects thecommand 58 that she wishes to associate to the gesture (e.g., the outputsignal 52). Once the user makes her selection, the processor(illustrated as reference numeral 30 in FIG. 13) adds a new entry to thedatabase 54 of gestures. The database 54 of gestures is thus updated toassociate the output signal 52 to the command 58 selected from the menu110. The user may thus continue drawing different gestures, andassociating different commands, to populate the database 54 of gestures.

The database 54 of gestures may also be prepopulated. When the userpurchases the electronic device 20, a manufacturer or retailer maypreload the database 54 of gestures. Gestures may be predefined toinvoke or call commands, functions, or any other action. The user maythen learn the predefined gestures, such as by viewing trainingtutorials. The user may also download entries or updates to the database54 of gestures. A server, accessible from the Internet, may storepredefined associations that are downloaded and stored to the memory 32.

FIG. 15 is an exploded component view of the electronic device 20,according to exemplary embodiments. The electronic device 20 isillustrated as the popular IPHONE® manufactured by Apple, Inc. The body26 may have multiple parts or components, such as a bottom portion 120mating with a central portion 122. The display device 28 and the touchsensor 34 are illustrated as an assembled module that covers the centralportion 122. The body 26 houses a circuit board 124 having the processor30, the memory 32, and many other components. A battery 126 provideselectrical power. FIG. 15 illustrates the gesture detector 42 integratedinto the assembly, proximate the bottom portion 120 of the body 26. Thislocation may be advantageous for sensing vibration caused by gesturesdrawn on the outer surface 44. The gesture detector 42 may have aninterface to the circuit board 124, such as a metallic strip or contactpad that conducts signals to/from the circuit board 124. The interfacemay also be a physical cable that plugs into a socket in the circuitboard 124. Whatever the interface, the gesture detector 42 senses thevibration and/or the electrical charge (referred to above, andillustrated, as reference numerals 72 and 80) caused by gesture inputson the body 26. The gesture detector 42 produces the output signal(referred to above, and illustrated, as reference numeral 52) inresponse to the vibration 72. The processor 30 analyzes the outputsignal 52 and executes the corresponding command 58, as earlierparagraphs explained.

The body 26 may have any design and construction. The body 26, forexample, may have a two-piece clamshell design with mating upper andlower halves. The body 26, however, may have any number of matingcomponents that protect the internal circuit board 124. The body 26 mayhave a rectangular access opening through which the display device 28and the touch sensor 34 insert or protrude. The body 26, in other words,may have an inner rectangular edge or wall that frames the displaydevice 28 and/or the touch sensor 34. The body 26 may be made of anymaterial, such as metal, plastic, or wood.

Exemplary embodiments thus transform the backside 40. Conventionalsmartphones fail to utilize the backside 40 for gesture inputs.Exemplary embodiments, in contradistinction, transform the outer surface44 of the backside 40 into the supplemental surface area for gesturedetection. Whatever the shape or size of the outer surface 44 of thebody 26, gestures may be input to execute the corresponding command 58,as earlier paragraphs explained. While the gesture detector 42 may bedisposed anywhere within the electronic device 20, the gesture detector42 is preferable proximate the supplemental gesture surface area. Whilethe gesture detector 42 may be adhered to the outer surface 44 of thebody 26, the gesture detector 42 may be preferably adhered to an innersurface of the bottom portion 120 of the body 26 for added protectionfrom physical damage. A glue or adhesive may simply and quickly adherethe gesture detector 42 to the body 26. While any adhesive compound maybe used, the adhesive may be chosen to minimize attenuation as thevibration 72 travels through the adhesive. However, the gesture detector42 may alternatively be mechanically adhered, such as by fastener orweld. The gesture detector 42 may be soldered or welded to the body 26,especially when the body 26 is constructed of aluminum, magnesium,stainless steel, or any other metal. The gesture detector 42 may besoldered, TIG welded, or MIG welded to the body 26. Indeed, the body 26,and the supplemental gesture surface area 92, may be constructed ofplastic, metal, wood, and/or any other material.

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustrating contactless, three-dimensionalgestures, according to exemplary embodiments. FIG. 16 again illustratesthe user's fingers performing some gesture 74. Here, though, the user'sfingers need not contact the body 26. That is, the user may make thethree-dimensional gesture 74 in the vicinity of the gesture detector 42.The three-dimensional gesture 74 may have motions or movements that donot come into contact with the body 26 of the electrical device 20. Whenthe user's fingers perform the gesture 74, the gesture movements maycause air molecules to vibrate. The gesture detector 42 senses thevibrating air molecules and generates its output signal 52. Moreover,the user's contactless gesture movements may also induce the electricalcharges 80 in the air to build on the body 26, thus also causing thegesture detector 42 to produce the output signal 52 (as explained withreference to FIGS. 5-7). Exemplary embodiments may thus respond to bothtwo-dimensional gestures drawn on the body 26 and to three-dimensionalgestures having contactless movements.

FIG. 17-19 are schematics illustrating output sampling, according toexemplary embodiments. Whatever gesture the user performs, the gesturedetector (illustrated as reference numeral 42 in FIG. 16) generates theoutput signal 52. The output signal 52 may be voltage or charge(current), depending on the circuit design (as explained with referenceto FIGS. 4-7). Regardless, the output signal 52 may have too much datafor fast processing. For example, FIG. 17 illustrates a graph of theoutput signal 52 for an exemplary gesture having a one second (1 sec.)duration. The output signal 52 is illustrated as being biased about abiasing voltage V_(B) (illustrated as reference numeral 130). Eventhough the gesture is only one second in duration, the output signal 52may still contain too much data for quick processing. The processor 30,in other words, may require more time that desired to process the outputsignal 52.

FIG. 18 illustrates sampling of the output signal 52. Exemplaryembodiments may sample the output signal 52 to produce discrete datapoints 132 according to some sampling rate 134. For mathematicalsimplicity, the sampling rate 134 is assumed to be 0.2 seconds, whichmay be adequate for human gestures. So, when the user performs thegesture having the one second duration, the output signal 52 may besampled every 0.2 seconds to yield five (5) data points 132.

FIG. 19 again illustrates the database 54 of gestures. Because theoutput signal 52 may be sampled, the database 54 of gestures need onlystore the discrete data points 132 sampled from the output signal 52.FIG. 19 thus illustrates each sampled output signal 52 as a collectionor set of the discrete data points 132 for each output signal 52. Whenthe database 54 of gestures is queried, exemplary embodiments need onlymatch the sampled values and not an entire, continuous voltage, charge,or current signal. The burden on the processor 30 is thus reduced,yielding a quicker response to the user's gesture input.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are schematics illustrating a protective case 200,according to exemplary embodiments. As many readers understand, manyusers of smartphones, tablet computers, and other mobile devicespurchase the protective case 200. The protective case 200 protects theelectronic device 20 (such as the smartphone 22) from damage. However,the protective case 200 may also deaden or insulate the backside 40 fromthe user's gesture inputs.

FIG. 20A thus illustrates the gesture detector 42. Because theprotective case 200 may limit access to the backside 40 of theelectronic device 20, the gesture detector 42 may be added to theprotective case 200. FIG. 20A, for example, illustrates the gesturedetector 42 adhered to an inner surface 202 of the protective case 200.The user may thus make gestures on or near the protective case 200, andthe gesture detector 42 may still sense vibration and electrical charge(as explained above). The gesture detector 42 may still have theinterface to the circuit board of the electronic device 20, again suchas a metallic contact or socket.

Exemplary embodiments may be applied to the automotive environment. Aninterior of a car or truck, for example, has many surfaces for mountingthe gesture detector 42. A center console, for example, may have adedicated gesture surface for sensing the driver's gesture inputs. Oneor more of the piezoelectric transducers 70 may be affixed, mounted, orintegrated into the gesture surface for sensing touch and othergesture-based inputs. An armrest and/or a steering wheel may also havean integrated gesture surface for sensing gesture inputs. As the driver(or passenger) gestures on or near the gesture surface, thepiezoelectric transducer 70 senses the vibration 72 or the electriccharge 80, as earlier paragraphs explained. Because the piezoelectrictransducer 70 senses vibration and electrical charge, the gesturedetector 42 may be integrated into any surface of any material.

Exemplary embodiments may also be applied to jewelry and otheradornment. As wearable devices become common, jewelry will evolve as acomputing platform. An article of jewelry, for example, may beinstrumented with the piezoelectric transducer 70, thus enabling inputsacross a surface of the jewelry. Moreover, as the piezoelectrictransducer 70 may be small and adhesively adhered, exemplary embodimentsmay be applied or retrofitted to heirloom pieces and other existingjewelry, thus transforming older adornment to modern, digital usage.

FIG. 21 is a schematic illustrating still more exemplary embodiments.FIG. 21 is a generic block diagram illustrating the gesture algorithm 50operating within a processor-controlled device 300. As the aboveparagraphs explained, the gesture algorithm 50 may operate in anyprocessor-controlled device 300. FIG. 21, then, illustrates the gesturealgorithm 50 stored in a memory subsystem of the processor-controlleddevice 300. One or more processors communicate with the memory subsystemand execute the gesture algorithm 50. Because the processor-controlleddevice 300 illustrated in FIG. 21 is well-known to those of ordinaryskill in the art, no detailed explanation is needed.

FIG. 22 depicts other possible operating environments for additionalaspects of the exemplary embodiments. FIG. 22 illustrates the gesturealgorithm 50 operating within various other devices 400. FIG. 22, forexample, illustrates that the gesture algorithm 50 may entirely orpartially operate within a set-top box (“STB”) (402), a personal/digitalvideo recorder (PVR/DVR) 404, a Global Positioning System (GPS) device408, an interactive television 410, a tablet computer 412, or anycomputer system, communications device, or processor-controlled deviceutilizing the processor 50 and/or a digital signal processor (DP/DSP)414. The device 400 may also include watches, radios, vehicleelectronics, clocks, printers, gateways, mobile/implantable medicaldevices, and other apparatuses and systems. Because the architecture andoperating principles of the various devices 400 are well known, thehardware and software componentry of the various devices 400 are notfurther shown and described.

Exemplary embodiments may be physically embodied on or in acomputer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable medium mayinclude CD-ROM, DVD, tape, cassette, floppy disk, memory card, andlarge-capacity disks. This computer-readable medium, or media, could bedistributed to end-subscribers, licensees, and assignees. These types ofcomputer-readable media, and other types not mention here but consideredwithin the scope of the exemplary embodiments. A computer programproduct comprises processor-executable instructions for detectinggestures, as explained above.

While the exemplary embodiments have been described with respect tovarious features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilledin the art will recognize the exemplary embodiments are not so limited.Other variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplaryembodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for gesture detection utilizing aprotective case for housing an electronic device having at least a bodywith a front side and a back side, the protective case having an innerand outer surface such that the inner surface of the protective case isaligned along the back side of the electronic device, the methodcomprising: detecting, by a gesture detector affixed to the innersurface of the protective case, a vibration propagating in the body ofthe electronic device caused by a contactless gesture input near theprotective case; processing a signal converted from an output generatedby the gesture detector in response to the vibration propagating in thebody of the electronic device caused by the contactless gesture inputnear the protective case; sampling the signal to produce a plurality ofsampled signal data points, wherein the plurality of sampled signal datapoints are discrete data points for the signal produced at a samplingrate; querying a database for one or more of the plurality of sampledsignal data points, the database associating the one or more of theplurality of sampled signal data points with a command; retrieving thecommand that is associated with the one or more of the plurality ofsampled signal data points; and executing the command in response to thecontactless gesture input near the protective case.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the gesture detector is a piezoelectric transducer. 3.The method of claim 2, further comprising: connecting the piezoelectrictransducer to a circuit board of the electronic device.
 4. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising: generating a voltage in response to thevibration propagating in the body of the electronic device; andassociating the voltage to the command.
 5. The method of claim 2,further comprising: generating an electrical charge in response to thevibration propagating in the body of the electronic device; andassociating the electrical charge to the command.
 6. The method of claim1 further comprising: affixing the protective case to the electronicdevice.
 7. A protective case for protecting an electronic device, theelectronic device having at least a body with a front side and a backside, the protective case comprising: an inner and outer surface suchthat the inner surface of the protective case is aligned along the backside of the body of the electronic device; and a gesture detectoradhered to the inner surface of the protective case for sensing avibration propagating in the electronic device caused by a contactlessgesture near the protective case, and causing the electronic device to:convert a signal from an output generated by the gesture detector inresponse to the vibration propagating in the body caused by thecontactless gesture input near the protective case; produce a pluralityof sampled signal data points by sampling the signal, wherein theplurality of sampled signal data points are discrete data points for thesignal produced at a sampling rate; query a database for one or more ofthe plurality of sampled signal data points, the database associatingthe one or more of the plurality of sampled signal data points with acommand; retrieve the command associated with the one or more of theplurality sampled signal data points converted from the output generatedby the gesture detector is retrieved; and execute the command inresponse to the contactless gesture.
 8. The protective case of claim 7,wherein the gesture detector is a piezoelectric transducer that uses apiezoelectric effect to generate the output in response to the vibrationpropagating in the body of the electronic device.
 9. The protective caseof claim 8 wherein the electronic device receives a voltage signalgenerated by the piezoelectric transducer.
 10. The protective case ofclaim 8, wherein the piezoelectric transducer produces a charge signal.11. The protective case of claim 8, wherein the electronic devicecomprises a processor and a memory storing instructions that whenexecuted by the processor cause the processor to perform a plurality ofoperations that cause, by the electronic device, the convert the signal,the produce the plurality of sampled signal data points by sampling thesignal, the query the database, the retrieve the command associated withthe one or more of the plurality sampled signal data points convertedfrom the output generated by the gesture detector is retrieved, theexecute the command in response to the contactless gesture.
 12. Theprotective case of claim 7, wherein the protective case and theelectronic device are rigidly connected.
 13. The protective case ofclaim 7, wherein the electronic device is a smartphone.
 14. Anelectronic device comprising: a body having a front side and a backside; a processor housed within the body; a display device exposed bythe front side of the body, the display device interfacing with theprocessor and responsive to gesture inputs; a touch sensor exposed bythe front side of the body, the touch sensor oriented above the displaydevice, the touch sensor interfacing with the processor and responsiveto a first gesture detected by the touch sensor; a protective casehaving an inner and outer surface, and a gesture detector adhered to theinner surface of the protective case for generating an output inresponse to a vibration propagating in the body in response to a secondgesture near the protective case, the second gesture being a contactlessgesture; and a memory housed within the body, the memory storinginstructions that when executed cause the processor to performoperations, the operations comprising: receiving a signal converted fromthe output generated by the gesture detector; sampling the signal toproduce a plurality of sampled signal data points, wherein the pluralityof sampled signal data points are discrete data points for the signalproduced at a sampling rate; querying a database for one or more of theplurality of sampled signal data points, the database associating theone or more of the plurality of sampled signal data points with acommand; retrieving the command that is associated with the one or moreof the plurality of sampled signal data points; and executing thecommand in response to the second gesture input near the protectivecase.
 15. The electronic device of claim 14 wherein gesture detector isa piezoelectric transducer.
 16. The electronic device of claim 15,wherein the operations further comprise: receiving a voltage signalgenerated by the piezoelectric transducer.
 17. The electronic device ofclaim 15, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving a chargesignal generated by the piezoelectric transducer.
 18. The electronicdevice of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise: generatinga voltage in response to the vibration propagating in the body of theelectronic device; and associating the voltage to the command.
 19. Theelectronic device of claim 14, wherein the electronic device is asmartphone.
 20. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein theelectronic device and the protective case are rigidly connected.